Contact cleaner
Content
Contact cleaner allows not only to get rid of dirt and rust on the current-carrying parts of the electrical circuits of the car, but also to improve the contacts so that they do not overheat and ensure reliable operation of the car's electrical system. Some car contact cleaners also have a preventive effect, so that the contacts treated with them are not so contaminated and oxidized in the future.
There are a wide variety of machine-made electrical contact cleaners on the market. usually, they are realized in two states of aggregation - in the form of a liquid and in the form of a spray. The first type is more suitable for spot treatment, while the spray is better for treating a large area, that is, several contacts at the same time. However, most sprays come with a thin tube in the package, which also allows you to apply the product pointwise. In addition, with its help you can reach hard-to-reach places.
As for the range, it is quite wide, but ten electronic contact cleaners are the most popular among domestic car owners - WD-40 Specialist, Liqui Moly, Abro, Kontakt 60 and others. the following is a complete list and a detailed description with an indication of efficiency, performance features and prices.
| Contact cleaner name | Brief description and features | Package volume, ml/mg | Price as of autumn 2018, rubles |
|---|---|---|---|
| CONTACT 60 | It is positioned by the manufacturer as a contact cleaner and oxide solvent. Very effective tool, can be used in everyday life, for the repair of various equipment. | 100; 200; 400 | 250; 500; 800 |
| Liqui Moly contact cleaner | Very effectively deletes corrosion, fats, oil, dirt. can also be used to repair and clean any electrical equipment. | 200 | 500 |
| I open EC-533 | Abro cleaner is used to clean electrical contacts and electronic elements of boards in a wide variety of equipment - machine, computer, household, audio, video and others. The kit includes an extension tube. | 163 | 300 |
| Hi Gear HG40 | It is a universal contact cleaner. Qualitatively cleans electrical contacts, electronic components and connectors from grease and oxide films, dust and other insulating contaminants. Evaporates quickly. | 284 | 300 |
| WD-40 Specialist | Positioned as a quick-drying contact cleaner. With this cleaner, you can degrease rubber, plastic and metal surfaces. | 200; 400 | 250; 520 |
| Kerry KR-913 | It is an inexpensive and effective tool that can be used not only for cleaning the electrical system of a car, but also for repairing various household and office equipment - computers, audio and video equipment, various electrical appliances and devices. | 335 | 150 |
| WURTH | Designed for cleaning all types of contacts. It dissolves oxide and sulfide layers, tar, oil, dirt, thereby improving the quality of electrical contact. Contains mineral oil and is halogen free. | 200 | 700 |
| Mannol Contact Cleaner 9893 | This is a special product for fast and effective cleaning and degreasing of dirty and corrosive electrical contacts of all types. | 450 | 200 |
| Astrohim AC-432 | Absolutely safe for vinyl, rubber, plastic and other similar items. Quite effective, but sometimes it needs to be applied two or three times. | 335 | 150 |
| Loctite SF 7039 | Contact spray is optimal for cleaning electrical systems exposed to moisture. The effectiveness of the tool is quite high, but the disadvantage is the high price compared to competitors. | 400 | 1700 |
Properties and functions of cleaners
When choosing one or another contact oxide cleaner in the electrical circuit of a car, it is imperative to determine what properties the optimal agent should have. Ideally, the cleaner should:
- effectively wash dirt and / or corrosion from electrical contacts, terminal and bolt connections, twists and other elements of the vehicle's electrical system;
- do not dissolve the varnish coating on the chips;
- prevent the appearance of stray currents, its leakage, sparking, heating of contacts and improving their quality (usually this is achieved by the fact that the elements included in the contact cleaners fill the roughness on their damaged surfaces);
- do not contain silicone (or similar insulating compounds);
- give the car enthusiast ease of use (here you need to make a choice between a liquid cleaner and an aerosol);
- dry quickly after application.
The properties listed above provide him with the ability to effectively perform the functions assigned to him, which include:
- cleaning electrical contacts from various contaminants, dust, dirt, aggressive chemical elements, and so on;
- protection of contact elements against corrosion (both from water and chemical corrosion, which can occur under the influence of electrolytes, acids and other compounds);
- effective removal of oxide and sulfide deposits (i.e. corrosion caused by moisture and/or chemicals);
- reducing the electrical resistance of contact connections, that is, preventing their overheating and the load on their external insulation.
Modern manufacturers of contact cleaners offer their consumers both highly specialized (cleaning only) and universal (which, in addition to cleaning, also have protective properties) products.
Rating of popular electrical contact cleaners
Below is a rating of electrical contact cleaners popular among domestic motorists. this list was not compiled on a commercial basis (our site does not promote any of the trademarks), but on an objective assessment of reviews and real tests of the products listed in the list, which were also advertised on the Internet at different times. If you have had a positive or negative experience using any of the presented cleaners or you can advise some other one, leave your comments.
CONTACT 60
The KONTAKT 60 cleaner is perhaps the most popular contact cleaner among domestic motorists, judging by the numerous reviews and video reviews presented on the Internet. It is positioned by the manufacturer as a contact cleaner and oxide solvent. It can be used not only for cleaning machine contacts, but also for use in the treatment of electrical contacts in everyday life. Great for cleaning old, worn and/or dirty contacts. In parallel with this, it provides a decrease in resistance at the points of the contact connection, thereby improving the quality of electricity and preventing overheating of the contact (including melting of the insulation).
Can be used to process switches, sockets, plugs, ICs, sockets, lamps, fuses, capacitors, terminal connections and so on. Please note that Kontakt 60 CRC is purely a cleaning agent. To protect the contact connection, you can use the composition of the same brand Kontakt 61.
On the Internet you can find a lot, including video reviews and reviews of this effective tool. The cleaner works really well, therefore, in our humble subjective opinion, it deserves the first place in this rating, and is definitely recommended for purchase by ordinary car owners. This is especially true for people involved in the repair or maintenance of electrical equipment on an ongoing basis.
Contact cleaner KONTAKT 60 is sold in one of three packages - 100, 200 and 400 ml aerosol cans. Their average prices as of autumn 2018 are 250, 500 and 800 rubles, respectively.
Liqui Moly contact cleaner
It is a professional contact cleaner from the world famous German manufacturer Liquid Moli. It can be used not only in machine technology, but also for the repair and maintenance of household electrical appliances. Very effectively cleans dirty contacts, removes oxides, reduces contact resistance. It does not contain silicone! According to the instructions, the duration of the cleaner is 5 ... 10 minutes (depending on the level of contamination). Remove dirt/corrosion with a cloth or rag. You can connect a cleaned contact to a working circuit not earlier than 10 minutes after the completion of cleaning!!! Please note that Liqui Moly Kontaktreiniger is a highly specialized product and is intended only for cleaning contacts. Therefore, after using it, it is advisable to use a protective agent like the widely popular Liqui Moly Elektronik-Spray.
Real tests and numerous positive reviews suggest that this purifier really has a high efficiency, so it is definitely recommended for purchase. Moreover, it can be used not only in auto electronics, but also in everyday life. The ratio of price, quality and volume of packaging is quite decent.
Contact cleaner Liqui Moly Kontaktreiniger is sold in a 200 ml aerosol can. The article of such a package is 7510. Its average price for the above period is about 500 rubles.
I open EC-533
A very good and effective cleaner Abro EC-533 is used to clean electrical contacts and electronic elements of boards in a wide variety of equipment - machine, computer, household, audio, video, and so on. Very quickly and effectively cleans various types of contaminants - dirt, grease, oil, corrosion deposits, oxides, and so on. Therefore, it can be considered a universal tool that can be used, including in consumer electronics. And considering its value for money, it deserves to be in the top of the rating.
Reviews about using the Abro contact cleaner are also mostly positive. Included with the packaging is a thin tube that attaches to the spout and allows you to point the product to the right place. With its help, car owners processed a variety of elements of the electrical system of cars, and in most cases were satisfied.
Contact cleaner Abro EC-533-R is sold in a 163 ml aerosol can. Its article number is 10007. The price for the specified period is about 300 rubles.
Hi Gear HG40
Hi-Gear HG40 is positioned as a universal contact cleaner. Effectively cleans electrical contacts, electronic components and connectors from grease and oxide films, dust and other insulating contaminants. The manufacturer claims that this deoxidizer is ideal for cleaning elements of the power supply system in a car, and can also be used to perform preventive maintenance in audio, video and home appliances, including digital ones. The cleaner not only effectively removes oxides, but also displaces moisture, removes the phosphate film, that is, it is a universal remedy.
The advantages of this contact improver are that it evaporates quickly and provides long-term contact protection against moisture (i.e., oxidation). can also be used to degrease contact surfaces. After applying this tool, the resistivity of the electrical contact decreases. Safe for plastic and rubber parts. The kit comes with a special tube-nozzle, which allows you to apply the product pointwise and in hard-to-reach places.
Tests have shown good results for this purifier. It does a good job of removing dirt and corrosion from electrical contacts. Therefore, car owners can safely buy in their set of machine chemicals.
The Hi-Gear HG40 cleaner is sold in a 284 ml can. The article number is HG5506. The average price is about 300 rubles.
WD-40 Specialist
A product called WD-40 Specialist is positioned as a quick-drying contact cleaner. It is a very popular remedy both in our country and abroad. It is a universal cleaner that is able to remove dirt, dust, carbon deposits, scale, flux, condensate and other debris from electrical and electronic equipment. In addition, this cleaner can be used to degrease rubber, plastic and metal surfaces. Its composition does not conduct electricity. The advantage is its fast drying. The kit includes a so-called "smart" tube, which allows you to point the product to hard-to-reach places.
Reviews on the Internet suggest that the WD-40 contact cleaner is widely used by domestic car owners. Therefore, it is definitely recommended for purchase, especially since it can be used in everyday life.
It is sold in two types of packages - 200 ml and 400 ml. The price of the first package is 250 rubles. The second article is 70368, and its price is 520 rubles.
Kerry KR-913
Aerosol contact cleaner Kerry KR-913 is an inexpensive and effective tool that can be used not only for cleaning the car's electrical system, but also for repairing various household and office equipment - computers, audio and video equipment, various electrical appliances and devices. The product effectively displaces moisture and removes corrosion, oil, grease, dirt and other debris. The cleaner is safe for car paintwork, as well as for rubber and plastic parts. When it evaporates, it leaves no traces on the surface. The bottle comes with an extension tube.
According to the instructions, you need to let the product soak for about 3-5 minutes, then remove it with a rag or napkin. The appliance can be connected to the mains after 10 minutes after the liquid fractions of the cleaner have dried. Real tests show a fairly high effectiveness of the product, so you can recommend it for purchase.
The Kerry KR-913 cleaner is sold in a 335 ml aerosol can with an extension tube. Article - 31029. The price is about 150 rubles.
WURTH
Swiss WURTH contact cleaner is designed to work with various electrical appliances. It removes oxide and sulfide layers, tar, oil, dirt, thereby improving the quality of electrical contact. The cleaner does not contain halogens and is not aggressive to common construction materials. It can be used not only for cleaning the electrical system of the car, but also for working with various household and industrial appliances.
drivers who have used this contact cleaner at different times note its fairly high efficiency. It well removes corrosion, including those caused by chemical reagents. Therefore, the tool is recommended for purchase. Among the shortcomings of the cleaner, one can only note a slightly overpriced price compared to analogues.
Sold in a 200 ml bottle. The article of such a package is 089360. Its price is about 700 rubles.
Mannol Contact Cleaner 9893
Mannol Contact Cleaner is a special product for fast and effective cleaning and degreasing of dirty and corrosive electrical contacts of all types. Its composition is quite effective and allows you to quickly get rid of oxides, dirt and grease present on the surface of electrical contacts. It is neutral to plastics, rubber and varnish coatings. It can be used not only in the car, but also for cleaning various electrical contacts, plug connections, terminals, ignition distributors, switches, relays, battery contacts, audio equipment and more. Shake the bottle before use. After application, allow the product to evaporate for at least 15 minutes. Can be used at temperatures up to +50°C. Store in a heated container, avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.
There is a good efficiency of this tool. It will not be superfluous in the garage of every car owner. However, in some cases (if the contamination has strongly ingrained into the surface), it is necessary to apply the agent two or three times, which is not always convenient and beneficial.
Mannol Contact Cleaner 9893 is sold in a 450 ml aerosol can. Its article number is 9893. The price is about 200 rubles.
Astrohim AC-432
Electrical contact cleaner Astrohim AS-432 is designed to clean electrical connections from corrosion, oxides, fuel and oil deposits, dirt and other debris on their surface. The use of a cleaner can significantly improve the quality of electrical contact. It differs in that its elements of the liquid fraction evaporate very quickly. Absolutely safe for vinyl, rubber, plastic and other similar items. The electrical contact cleaner does not contain toxic perchlorethylene.
Experienced application showed the average efficiency of this tool. It copes well with medium complexity pollution, but often it has problems with complex ones. But Be that as it may, the cleaner can be used two or three times in order to remove corrosion or dirt. It has a very significant advantage - low price. Therefore, it can be recommended for purchase - it will definitely not be superfluous for contact connections.
Sold in a 335 ml can. The article of this product is AC432. Its price is 150 rubles.
Loctite SF 7039
Loctite SF 7039 (previously known simply as Loctite 7039) is positioned by the manufacturer as a contact spray. It is designed to clean electrical contacts that are exposed to moisture, chemicals and dirt. However, it must not be used on lacquered contacts! In addition to the cleaning action, this agent has a protective property, that is, after drying, it protects the surface of electrical contacts from re-corrosion or contamination on them. Does not adversely affect plastic coatings. The operating temperature range is from -30°C to +50°C.
Real tests have shown the average efficiency of this cleaner. It performs well in removing corrosion and dirt. However, in some cases it needs to be used two or three times. With a relatively good efficiency, this tool has a significant drawback, namely, a high price.
Loctite SF 7039 cleaner is sold in a 400 ml aerosol can. The article of such a cylinder is 303145. The price of a package is about 1700 rubles.
What and how to process in the electrical system of the car
Now that it has become clear what tools are best used to eliminate contamination and corrosion at electrical connections, it is worth discussing which problem areas in the car need to be treated with their help. In this case, the information is advisory in nature, and the fact of processing or not processing depends on the state of the contact. So it's just a preventive measure. So, with the help of a contact cleaner from oxidation, it is worth processing:
- car radio contacts;
- sensor connectors (detonation, DBP in the intake manifold, air and coolant temperature);
- Limit switches;
- battery terminals;
- contact connections of lamps (external and internal);
- transitional connectors;
- switches/switches;
- throttle block;
- connectors and contacts of injectors;
- wiring harness connector;
- absorber valve contacts;
- fuse and relay connectors;
- connectors of the electronic control unit ICE (ECU).
It is imperative that for preventive purposes it is necessary to process the contacts in the ignition system, especially if there are problems in its operation. Both low-voltage and high-voltage contacts are processed.
The processing of electrical contacts in this case must be carried out in strict accordance with the information given in the instructions or on the packaging. Be sure to read it before using the product, and not after! However, in most cases, the algorithm is traditional - you need to apply a certain amount of cleaning agent to the contaminated contact, and then wait a short time in order to allow it to be absorbed as well. further, when a chemical reaction occurs and the dirt / corrosion is soaked, you can use a rag, napkin or brush to remove them from the electrical contact surface.
In especially neglected cases (or when the cleaning agent is ineffective), a situation is possible when it will be necessary to process the electrical contacts two or even three times. If there is a little dirt / corrosion on the contacts, then instead of rags, you can use an air compressor, with which you can simply blow out soaked mud deposits.
Often, before using a special cleaning agent, it is worth mechanically treating the oxidized (contaminated) surface. This can be done with sandpaper, a brush or other similar tool. This will save the consumption of contact cleaner, and therefore money. However, remember that this can only be done if you are sure that you will not harm the electrical contact or other circuit element.
DIY contact cleaner
The tools listed above, although they help to quickly and effectively get rid of dirt and / or corrosion on electrical contacts, thereby improving their conductivity, however, they all have a significant drawback - a relatively high price. Accordingly, it makes no sense to buy to launder a couple of problem areas. Instead, it is better to use one of the "folk" methods and means, which in reality are quite a few. Here are the most common and effective ones.
Recipe number one. Take 250 ml of aqueous concentrated ammonia and 750 ml of methanol (note that methanol is harmful to the human body) or ethyl alcohol, which is denatured with gasoline. You need to mix these two together in a glass jar that has an airtight lid. The composition can be used to clean electrical contacts, and it must be stored closed, away from heat sources and NOT exposed to sunlight.
Recipe number two. About 20 ... 50 ml of medical vaseline oil must be dissolved in 950 ml of extraction gasoline, then mix well until completely dissolved. The composition can also be used for cleaning. Store in the same way, away from sources of heat and sunlight.
you can also use the following tools to clean the contacts ...
Cleaning paste "Asidol" (one of the varieties)
Eraser. With the help of an ordinary clerical eraser, especially if it contains fine-grained elements. However, this method is not suitable for deeply ingrained contaminants.
baking soda solution. Its composition can be prepared from a proportion of 0,5 liters of water 1 ... 2 tablespoons of soda. With the help of the resulting solution, you can also get rid of simple contaminants (hardly complex ones).
Lemon juice. It is enough to drop a few drops of this composition on the oxidized contact and wait a couple of minutes. After that, it is quite possible to clean it almost to a shine.
Alcohol. For cleaning, you can use technical, medical or ammonia. A fairly effective tool that can be used in tandem with others.
Cleaning paste "Asidol". It is designed to clean various household items "to a shine." Therefore, it can also be used to clean electrical contacts.
Sandpaper. It is better to use a fine-grained version of it so as not to damage the contacts.
The listed "folk" remedies usually show good efficiency in the general case if they interact with low or medium levels of pollution. Unfortunately, they are usually unable to cope with multilayer oxides. Therefore, in difficult cases, it is worth using a professional tool. But in order to save money, you can first try to clean the contacts with improvised means, and if this does not help, use the factory electrical contact cleaners listed above.
